Afridi: Pakistan can't handle four provinces, doesn't need Kashmir
On Wednesday, former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi sparked a new controversy with a comment on Kashmir. Addressing a gathering of students in London, the cricketer said, "Pakistan doesn't want Kashmir...Pakistan can't even manage its four provinces." Afridi is no stranger to commenting on the Kashmir issue and has done so several times earlier. Here are the details.
Afridi's comments won't sit well with India, Pakistan
Afridi's comments came during a press conference that could be streamed live. The former Pakistan cricket team captain's comment is unlikely to sit well with Pakistan, whose government is currently headed by Pakistan cricket legend Imran Khan. Further, Afridi also said that Kashmir should neither be given to India, and should be an independent state. Afridi also condemned violence and deaths in Kashmir.
WATCH: Shahid Afridi comments on the Kashmir issue
What Afridi had to say about Pakistan's governance
Commenting on Pakistan's governance, Afridi listed two demands for the Imran Khan-led PTI government. He called for the Khan government to end corruption, and emphasized on the need for education. Saying that Pakistan could not progress without education, he urged the Khan government to take education to remote areas. However, Afridi said that he had no plans to join politics any time soon.
Afridi's earlier comments on Kashmir had sparked controversy too
In April this year, Afridi faced a social media storm when he tweeted that the situation in Kashmir was "appalling" and "worrisome", and urged the United Nations to intervene and stop bloodshed in "India occupied Kashmir". Earlier, in 2016, ahead of a World T20 match in Mohali, he had suggested that a lot of Kashmiri people supported Pakistani cricketers.
